Romney and Jindal made the latest in a series of visits to Wisconsin by high-wattage political figures - from President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and first lady Michelle Obama to former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

Political observers said the visits from potential presidential and vice presidential candidates reflect the high political stakes in Wisconsin this year, as well as the importance Wisconsin is expected to play in the 2012 presidential elections.

Political scientist Joe Heim of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse said the visits could pay dividends for those who come to stump in the state.

"I'm sure they are thinking at least equally of how this is going to help (them) down the road," Heim said. "That's in their calculus."

In Milwaukee, Walker, the Milwaukee County executive, and Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, spoke to more than 200 people at a $250-a-plate fund-raiser at the Italian Community Center. In Madison, Walker and Jindal hosted about 300 people at a $75 per-person reception at the Sheraton Madison Hotel.

Attendees could meet with the hosts in more intimate settings for $5,000 per couple. The campaign declined to say how much the two events raised.

Romney and Jindal briefly took questions from reporters at both stops, but the events themselves were closed to the news media.

In Milwaukee, Walker told supporters he was enthusiastic about Wisconsin's prospects. But he was critical of the role that government has played under the administration of Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle.

Afterward at a news conference, Romney said his trip to Milwaukee had been planned some time ago.

"Scott's just opened up such a big lead - he's doing better," Romney said.

As if to underscore that point, a new poll Monday showed Walker with a 9 point lead over Democrat and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. Walker had 50% and Barrett had 41% in the poll of 402 registered likely voters by Wisconsin Public Radio and St. Norbert College in De Pere. The poll was conducted Oct. 12-15 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.

"But you can't become too complacent," Romney said. "Things can happen in the waning weeks. . . . So it's important for us to touch the bases of those races where myself and people like me can hopefully make a difference."

Jindal said voters were drawn to Walker because of his pledge to cut the size of government.

"He understands we can't tax, borrow and spend our way back to prosperity," Jindal said of Walker.

The highest-profile visit in recent months was President Obama's Sept. 28 rally on behalf of Democrats at the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus, which drew a crowd police estimated at 26,500. But most visits from both Democrats and Republicans have been more about fund raising than attracting widespread media attention.

"I don't think most people vote one way or another because of a surrogate visit," UW-La Crosse's Heim said. "They get some attention for the candidate, but their primary purpose is fund raising."

At a Milwaukee news conference, Barrett discounted the significance of Monday's visits by Republicans.

"If he wants to bring in Bobby Jindal, that's fine; if he wants to bring in Mitt Romney, that's fine," Barrett said.

"I don't think that most Wisconsin citizens know who they are. If that's part of what their game plan is, so be it."

Barrett contrasted Romney's and Jindal's presence by featuring three teachers and an out-of-work welder who will graduate from college next year with a degree in secondary education.

The teachers all said they worried that Walker would cut dollars for public education.

The former welder, Lee Schulz, lost his job in August 2008 and went on BadgerCare Plus, the state health program for low-income people.

Schulz said he feared Walker would cut the program.

"BadgerCare came to our rescue - I have four boys," he said. "If it weren't for BadgerCare, who knows if I would have my house right now?"

Jason Stein reported from Madison and Lee Bergquist reported from Milwaukee. Patrick Marley of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report from Madison.

About Jason Stein

Jason Stein covers the state Capitol and is the author with his colleague Patrick Marley of "More than They Bargained For: Scott Walker, Unions and the Fight for Wisconsin." His work has been recognized by journalism groups such as the American Society of News Editors, the Society of American Business Editors and Writers, and the Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors.